Once he started a solo career, Brown enjoyed commercial and critical success with his second album Don't Be Cruel (1988) which spawned five Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including the number one hit "My Prerogative", and the Grammy Award-winning "Every Little Step". In 1989, Brown contributed two songs to the soundtrack of Ghostbusters II. In 1992, Brown married superstar singer Whitney Houston, with whom he later had a daughter named Bobbi Kristina Brown. The couple's drug issues and domestic disputes made them tabloid fodder.
Brown's next album Bobby (1992) spawned several singles including "Humpin' Around", "Get Away", and "Good Enough", however, sales of Bobby did not reach the level of its predecessor.
Brown also appeared in the films A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and Two Can Play That Game. He returned to New Edition for a reunion album and tour from 1996 to 1997, and returned with all six members for another stint in 2005. Brown and Houston starred in the 2005 reality show Being Bobby Brown; Houston filed for divorce two years later in 2007.
The Man I Want to Be
Bobby Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause it's the last place left to fall
Beggin' for another chance
If there's any chance at all
That You might still be listenin'
Lovin' and forgivin' guys like me
I've spent my whole life
And I sure could use Your help
'Cause from now on
I want to be a good man
A do like I should man
I want to be the kind of man
The mirror likes to see
I want to be a strong man
And admit that I was wrong man
God, I'm asking You to come change me
Into the man I want to be
If there's anyway for her and me
To make another start
Could You see what You could do
To put some love back in her heart?
'Cause it goin' to take a miracle
After all I've done to really make her see
That I want to be a stay man
I want to be a brave man
I want to be the kind of man
She sees in her dreams
God, I want to be Your man
And I want to be her man
God, I only hope she still believes
In the man I want to be
Well, I know this late at night the talk is cheap
But Lord, don't give up on me
I want to be a givin' man
I want to really start livin', man
God, I'm asking You to come change
me
Into the man I want to be
The lyrics of Bobby Brown's song "The Man I Want to Be" is essentially a prayer to God. It is a song about redemption and the quest to become a better man. The song starts with the singer being at the lowest point in his life, down on his knees begging for another chance. He acknowledges that he has made mistakes and asks for help to make things right. He wants to be a good man, the kind of man that the mirror likes to see, someone who is strong enough to admit when he is wrong and to ask for forgiveness.
The second part of the song deals with his relationship with a woman. He acknowledges that he has hurt her and that it will take a miracle to make things right again. He wants to be the kind of man that she sees in her dreams and he wants to be the man that God wants him to be. The lyrics are heartfelt and sincere, and the song captures the essence of what it means to take responsibility for one's actions and strive to be a better person.
Line by Line Meaning
God, I'm down here on my knees
I am seeking guidance and help from a higher power
'Cause it's the last place left to fall
I have hit rock bottom in my life and have nowhere else to turn
Beggin' for another chance
I am asking for a fresh start and another opportunity to make things right
If there's any chance at all
I am not sure if I am worthy of redemption, but I am hoping for a glimmer of hope
That You might still be listenin'
I believe that there is a higher power that hears my prayers
Lovin' and forgivin' guys like me
I am acknowledging my mistakes and hoping that forgiveness is possible despite my flaws
I've spent my whole life
I have been alive for many years and have had multiple opportunities to do things right
Gettin' it all wrong
Unfortunately, I have made many wrong choices throughout my life
And I sure could use Your help
I recognize that I need guidance in order to make the right choices
'Cause from now on
I am committed to changing my ways and doing better in the future
I want to be a good man
I want to be a person who is morally upright and does what is right
A do like I should man
I want to be someone who follows through on their responsibilities and obligations
I want to be the kind of man
I aspire to be someone who is admirable and respectable
The mirror likes to see
I want to be someone who is proud of themselves and what they see when they look in the mirror
I want to be a strong man
I want to be someone who is resilient and capable
And admit that I was wrong man
I am willing to recognize my mistakes and take responsibility for my actions
God, I'm asking You to come change me
I am seeking help from a higher power to change and become a better person
Into the man I want to be
I have a clear idea of what kind of person I want to be, and I hope to become that person with help
If there's anyway for her and me
I am hoping for a chance to reconcile with someone important to me
To make another start
I hope to start fresh and mend what has been broken
Could You see what You could do
I am praying for a miracle and asking for divine intervention
To put some love back in her heart?
I hope to regain the affection of someone I have hurt in the past
'Cause it goin' to take a miracle
I am aware that repairing this relationship will be difficult and may require a miracle
After all I've done to really make her see
I have made mistakes that may have caused irreparable damage to the relationship
That I want to be a stay man
I aspire to be someone who is reliable and dependable
I want to be a brave man
I aspire to be someone who faces their fears and challenges with courage
She sees in her dreams
I hope to be someone who is loved and admired by the person I care about
God, I want to be Your man
I aspire to follow the teachings and values of a higher power
And I want to be her man
I aspire to be someone who is significant and meaningful to the person I care about
God, I only hope she still believes
I am hoping that the person I care about has not lost hope or faith in me
In the man I want to be
I strive to become the person I aspire to be, and hope that others will see and believe in this change
Well, I know this late at night the talk is cheap
I know that it is easy to make promises or talk about change, but it is much harder to follow through
But Lord, don't give up on me
Despite my flaws and mistakes, I am asking for continued guidance and support to become a better person
I want to be a givin' man
I aspire to be someone who is generous and giving to those around me
I want to really start livin', man
I aspire to live a fulfilling and meaningful life focused on good values and intentions
Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.